The Master (13 page)

“Yes, Sir. I would,” she confessed. Her head was down, so she couldn’t see him, but she heard his sharp intake of breath.

“Bloody hell, Sasha. You have me thinking things I have no right thinking.” He took several more deep breaths before continuing. “We need to get in the car before I do something I’ll regret.”

His frankness caught her off guard even as something inside her delighted she could evoke such a response from him.

“Now, Sasha.”

She hurried to her feet.

“Where’s your coat?”

She pointed. “In the closet, there, Sir.”

He didn’t say a word as he opened her closet, took her coat, and held it out for her. She slipped her arms in it, but the entire time she felt his coldness toward her. For a second, she questioned her reply and wondered if she should apologize.

Fuck it
, she thought.
He’s the one who wanted honesty.

She held her head up and reached to open the door, but he pushed his hand against it and stopped her.

“I’m not upset with you, Sasha.”

“Sir?”

“I’m angry at myself. It’s not your fault, and it’s nothing you’ve done.” He exhaled loudly. “I’m used to having better control over myself.”

“Thank you for being honest with me, Sir.” How refreshing it was to be with someone who was so honest and open. With anyone else, she’d have been subjected to an uncomfortable and awkward car ride.

His body relaxed slightly. “You do look incredible in that outfit. If I hadn’t—” He shook his head. “But I did, so let’s head out so we’re not late.”

Master Greene lived in an up-and-coming neighborhood not far from her apartment and shop. Several cars already lined the street in front of his house when they pulled up. Her heart pounded a little faster.

Cole turned the engine off, but made no move to get out of the car. Instead, he turned and looked at her. “How are you feeling?”

“Scared, excited, nervous.” She took a shaky breath. “Ready to get this over with and willing to sit here all night.”

He smiled softly at her. “I know this is a big step for you. Rest assured, I’ll be with you every step of the way. And if you get overwhelmed, let me know immediately. Understand?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Once we’re inside, we’re going to find Master Greene. You are free to talk with him.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“Ready?”

She closed her eyes, took one last deep breath, and honestly replied, “As I’ll ever be.”

He didn’t say anything further and didn’t ask for additional reassurances, but opened his door and crossed in front of the car to open hers.

She fiddled with her red bracelet as they walked to the house. She could do this. Cole was with her. She didn’t feel panic, just a bit of trepidation. Surely, that was normal.

Cole rang the doorbell. As they waited, he glanced down at her. “I’m proud of you, little one.”

She was still smiling when the door opened and they stepped
inside.

“G
ood evening, Master Johnson,” a sub she’d known for years said as he welcomed them inside and took her coat.

Cole nodded in reply.

“Good to see you again, Sasha,” he said.

She looked over to Cole since he’d told her she had to have permission before speaking to anyone. His expression was blank, though, and offered no acquiescence, so she only smiled and nodded.

They walked farther into the house and she felt oddly at home hearing the familiar buzz of the group. It was a sound unlike anything she heard anywhere else: the hum of conversation, a moan of pleasure here and there, even the occasional smack of skin on skin.

“There’s Master Greene,” Cole said, walking toward the back of the living room.

Master Greene stood apart from everyone, observing. Once he saw them approaching, he pushed back from the countertop and held out a hand to Cole.

“Master Johnson,” he said. “Let’s go into my office.”

She followed the two men into the small room and for the first time felt a twinge of anxiety. Which was uncalled for, since, she scolded herself, she’d be with Cole. She would be safe.

Cole remained standing. So she wouldn’t have to kneel, she supposed. Master Greene had a calming expression and it only took one look at him for any remaining fear to ease away.

“Thank you for allowing me this opportunity,” he said to Cole and then tilted his head her way and raised an eyebrow.

Cole nodded.

Having received permission, Master Greene spoke to her. “Sasha, I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you. I want you to know you have the support of the entire group.” He lifted his hand and glanced at Cole. His hand dropped when Cole shook his head.

Sasha breathed a sigh of relief, and since Cole had told her in the car that she was free to speak with him, said, “Thank you, Sir. That means a lot.”

“We take a participant’s safety extremely seriously. Peter broke that trust once and we gave him the benefit of the doubt. But when he called you, he proved once and for all that he couldn’t be trusted.”

She’d known she’d never be able to play with him again, but there was a part of her that remembered her joy at the beginning of their relationship. That once joyous person had held out some small hope for him. Maybe one day, if he made it through the mentorship, he’d find someone better suited for him.

Master Greene continued. “Peter is no longer welcome in this group. Please accept my apology for not being able to ensure your safety where he was concerned.”

She swallowed around the lump in her throat. “I appreciate your apology, Sir, but please know I in no way hold you accountable for Peter’s actions. It’s hard enough to control ourselves, much less someone else.”

Master Greene chuckled. “True, but I still feel some responsibility. We all do in fact.” He turned to Cole. “Thank you for coming tonight and allowing me to talk to Sasha. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back out to the party. You two enjoy yourselves.”

“You’re welcome,” Cole said and then added with a grin, “And we intend to.”

•   •   •

H
e led her out of the office and through the kitchen. “Let’s see if we can find a demo to observe.”

At his calmly spoken words, she grew clammy. For a split second she wasn’t at Master Greene’s, she was at Master Covington’s guesthouse getting ready to head up the stairs for her demo with Peter. She had watched a demo a few weeks ago with Abby and Nathaniel, but this felt different. Because she was dressed more like a submissive?

“Please, Sir,” she managed to whisper. “Can we wait a few minutes before we do that?”

There was no surprise in his expression when he turned to her, almost as if he’d anticipated her reaction. “Of course, little one. Would you like to find a place to sit for a while?”

At her affirmation, he changed course and went into the living room, where he sat on a couch. With a sigh of relief, she
dropped to her knees. The position now felt comfortable. Cole always had her spend time kneeling when they were in a training session.

She closed her eyes and felt her body relax. She took a deep breath and uncurled fingers she didn’t know were in a fist. Yes, she could do this.

“How are you feeling?” Cole asked.

“Better, Sir.”

“I’m going to touch your head.” His voice was soft and gentle and though she knew they were getting some stares from curious group members, she relaxed even more when his hand slid into her hair.

His hand soothed away any remaining nerves. Ever so tenderly he rubbed her scalp in what quickly became an almost erotic massage. She could have easily rubbed herself against him, but she held still, knowing he wanted her obedience.

“You did very well, little one,” he said. “You became uncomfortable and you stopped and told me. Though we Doms often act like we know everything, we’re well aware we don’t. That’s why honest communication works both ways.”

The crowd around them grew larger, and though no one approached them, they continued to receive more than a few stares.
Odd
, she thought. But then again, maybe it was seeing her again as a submissive. Or that she was Cole’s submissive for the party. Probably a combination of both, she decided.

One of the group’s Doms, Evan Martin, ran an appreciative eye over her and walked toward them.

“Master Johnson,” he said, coming to a stop in front of Cole. “Good to see you tonight. I wanted to get your opinion on something.”

The two men started a conversation about an upcoming
meeting. Nothing that concerned her. She dropped her gaze to the floor, and that’s when she noticed the shirt had shifted and her right nipple was exposed.

Without thinking twice, she lifted a hand to straighten the neckline. No wonder people had been staring.

The hand in her hair tightened painfully. “Leave it alone, sub.”

The roughness of his voice caught her off guard and though she didn’t move to adjust the shirt, it wasn’t until he spoke again that she realized she hadn’t dropped her hand either.

“I mean it. You’re exposed for my pleasure. Move back into position.” His command was spoken softly, but carried enough authority that she immediately placed her hand back on her knee even as she felt desire swell between her legs.

Not missing a beat, he smoothly transitioned back into conversation with Evan. She was relieved to have a few minutes to privately process her reaction to his command. Her response had been instant and visceral. At his demand, some part of her felt at peace. The realization made her happy.

“Excuse me, Master Johnson, may I sit here and wait?”

Sasha snapped to attention at the sound of Julie’s voice. A quick look from the corner of her eye indicated Master Evan had left.

“You may,” Cole answered.

Sasha waited for him to say something about not speaking to her, but he didn’t. Relying, perhaps, on Daniel’s training to have covered party etiquette.

“Where is your Master, Julie?” Cole asked her.

“He’s teaching bullwhip techniques in the garage, Sir, and told me to wait for him here.”

Julie had been present the night Daniel whipped Peter as
part of his punishment for the scene with Sasha. Cole’s attention had been focused on her, but Julie had almost passed out herself.

“Ah, yes,” he said. “I remember you almost fell that night.”

“And you’d already caught Sasha. I felt guilty I didn’t get to her first.”

It was strange listening to them talk about her like she wasn’t within hearing distance. She didn’t remember much about the night they were talking about. She did remember Cole holding her.

“You’re a good friend, Julie. I mean that sincerely.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

They were silent for several minutes and Sasha’s gaze traveled across the room, noting not many people were looking her way anymore. Everyone’s attention had been captured by the appearance of a woman Sasha didn’t recognize. She had curly brown hair and was glancing around, obviously looking for someone in particular.

Someone breezed past the couch. Master Greene, she noted, making a beeline toward the unknown woman. Whoever she was, she saw him and ran into his arms.

“They’re the demo we’re going to watch, little one,” Cole informed her.

As she watched the embracing couple, his words hit her and she realized he’d never meant for them to watch a demo immediately after the meeting in the kitchen.

“I’m ready now, Sir.”

•   •   •

T
he submissive at his feet grew stronger and more confident every day. And though he was glad she’d come so far, part of
him was sad because he knew that meant their time was limited.

Unless he took her up on her request for slave training. That would give him more time.

Already his mind longed to make plans. To have her at his complete mercy and under his exclusive control. To touch her. Feel her.

Fuck her.

He clenched his fingers into a fist until he got his desire under control. He’d probably scare the hell out of her the first time he took her. He knew damn well it wouldn’t be gentle. It would be hard and rough.

Hell, he was a grade-A bastard to even consider it.

“Master,” Julie said, sliding from the couch and going to her knees.

Daniel must have finished his teaching. He stood near the couch and held out his hand, helping Julie to her feet. He pulled her into his arms and then looked Cole’s way.

“Sorry I can’t stay and talk, I told Julie we’d leave after my session.” He kissed her forehead. “Been working overtime this week and promised her the weekend would be just the two of us.”

Cole chuckled. “I’ll make certain to keep my distance from the main house.”

“No need,” Daniel assured him. “We’re going away for the weekend.”

They spoke for a few more minutes, but the entire time Cole was thinking about what Daniel had said.
Going away for the weekend.
If he decided to train Sasha as a slave, he should take her
away for a weekend. That would be fun and provide new ways to play.

When they left, he stood and said to Sasha, “Stand up and straighten your shirt, little one. It’s almost time for the demo.”

He’d spoken to Daniel earlier in the week about what the demos would be and who would be doing them. He had a feeling she would enjoy watching Greene and his sub for the evening.

The demo was being held in the garage and, as he expected, a large crowd had gathered. Everyone was standing, so he led her to the corner of the observers where they could watch but also be able to talk without bothering anyone.

“Stand in front of me, little one. I’ll be close behind you, but I won’t touch you.”

He wouldn’t touch her, but he was so close he felt her heat and smelled the faint lemongrass scent of her shampoo. If she moved backward at all, she’d push against his erection—but he didn’t want to move any farther away from her. He wanted her acutely aware of his proximity.

Before them Greene was speaking in low tones to his submissive, running his hands over her body and eventually bringing her hands above her head to bind. While he worked, she watched him with soft and trusting eyes.

Once he had her secured, Greene whispered to her again and pressed a kiss to her forehead. She nodded and closed her eyes.

Cole dipped his head to Sasha’s ear. “You’re wondering who she is and what connection they have. They’re a long-distance couple. She lives in California and they only see each other every few months.”

Sasha leaned forward as if trying to get a closer look.

“He’s going to demo a sensual flogging. Nothing too intense, at least for those of us watching. I imagine it’ll be quite intense for her. What I want you to do is picture yourself in her place. Let yourself go. Remember the feeling of being pleasured by the one you’ve turned control over to. And for tonight, I’m the one who decides that pleasure.”

His words had the desired effect and he smiled inwardly as she trembled in response. So far he hadn’t noticed any sign of panic or distress from her, but he recalled how quickly it’d hit her when they went to look at the house. He believed this was the first flogging scene she’d witnessed since her time with Peter. And while he felt she was strong enough to watch a sensual flogging, he needed to keep a watchful eye on her.

“Watch,” he commanded as Greene began. “You’re standing bound before me. Naked and needy. You came to me for one reason: you know I can give you what you need. But now that I’ve bound you, you realize I’ll take what I need from you as well.”

They both watched as Greene circled his sub, every so often flicking the flogger toward her, but not striking her with it yet.

“I make you wait for the tails to fall and you try to anticipate it. Try to imagine where they’ll first land. You’re expecting it to be forceful, so you’re surprised when the leather softly sweeps across your back. I’m being so gentle, you don’t notice I’ve picked up a second flogger until you feel it against your backside. I put more power into the stroke and you yelp. I whisper for you to be quiet, telling you that you will take what I give you in silence.”

Sasha’s gaze was on the couple in front of her, but Cole saw the quick rise and fall of her chest.

“I continue working both floggers, harder against your arse and softer on your back. I ask you if you’re getting wet being tied up for my pleasure and receiving a flogging.” He wasn’t watching the demo scene anymore. His focus was Sasha, and he was pleased she’d shown no unease when he’d mentioned her back.

“Check, sub,” he commanded in a low growl. “Slip your hand down the front of those shorts and finger yourself.”

She jerked to attention.

“Discreetly. Don’t draw attention to yourself.” He waited while she checked. “Are you?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good, because next I’ll tell you that you need to be wet because I’m going to slide the handle of the flogger inside you.”

She stiffened.

“It’s not quite as large as my cock, but it’s nothing you want to attempt dry.” He leaned so close he almost brushed her ear with his lips. “Look at it as preparing yourself to take me. Rub your clit, but don’t come.”